KDAF reporter Giselle Phelps covered the corporal punishment research of SMU psychologist George W. Holden, a professor in the SMU Psychology Department, and Paul Williamson, an SMU doctoral student in psychology.

The research provides a unique real-time look at spanking in a way that’s never before been studied. In a study of 37 families, mothers voluntarily recorded their evening interactions with their young children over the course of six days, including incidents of corporal punishment, said Holden.

By Giselle Phelps
KDAF
The sound of Dallas parents caught on tape spanking their kids is making its way around the country. It’s part of what’s being called the first real-time spanking study.

SMU Professor George Holden recruited a group of parents from daycare centers around town to study yelling in the home. He says he didn’t plan to look at corporal punishment — until the audio recordings came back.

Candice and Chuck Pearson say they spank their kids.

“I believe that spanking actually helps them have more discipline; sometimes no is just not enough,” said spanking supporter Candice Pearson.

But according to SMU Psychology professor George Holden, most parents who spank are doing it wrong.

He says new audio he’s recorded proves it. Holden had 37 Dallas-area parents wear audio recorders on their arms for six nights straight. He says they captured several spankings, ranging from mild to the not-so-mild.

“Another mom, in one instance, hit the child 11 times for a behavior,” Holden said.

Holden says if you’re going to spank, these are the guidelines spanking supporters say parents should follow: